Sunday, July 4, 2010

My first attempt at stripping

wood, of course. Does that joke ever get old?

I found this lovely 2 tiered stand at my fave thrift store for 4 bucks, and didn't hesitate to get it. I thought, plant stand, something for the bedroom, whatever. Really it was the two tiers and the pointed sides that sold me. There's something middle eastern or mediteranean about it to me, but S thinks it looks like it belongs in a church.

I was really excited to work on it this weekend. In fact, i was determined to strip it, primer, paint, and do something decorative on top during this long weekend. Totally feasable.

S tried to take it apart but said it would ruin the wood if he undid the screws. So stripping had to take place as is. Have i mentioned i've never done this before, but how hard could it be?

We have purple, then red, then green. That green isn't going anywhere, i think it's stained the wood.

Darn those sides! I needed to walk away, calm down, and then i went back out to sand. Nothing. It needs more than i can give it. I was just going to prime it so I didn't have to look at the mess that it now is, but S convinced me to wait til he sees it. Then he will break out the big guns. Or tell me there is nothing there can be done.

This looks like a crime scene, but i promise no one was harmed in the stripping of this piece! Where's that yellow tape when you need it? Mission un-accomplished. Poo.

23 comments:

Oh boy do I feel your pain. I can't tell you how many times I've thought, "I will just strip this thing down and re-do it" only to face what seems like days of frustration, smell, and mess. And then I end up painting it because it looks so bad. Don't give up.

LOL - It's fun at first to see a little paint bubbling up and peeling it. Then there are those stubborn spots and the frustration sits in! I had a small table I recently stripped and redid. More work than it was worth! LOLWhat did you use to strip it with? I use the citristrip, that way I don't have to wear gloves or a respirator.

Been there. Done that. Frustrating isn't it? I tried to strip a bench that was painted yellow. Tried several different strippers with very little success. I'm ready to throw the whole thing in the trash or give it to Goodwill. I just don't have the patience for such tedious work. Wishing you better luck.

Hang in there! I know it's a horrible process, but the satisfaction will be well worth the pain I promise!! I was so nice to see you over at DesignTies... your comment on my mat project was so very much appreciated! Seeing what you're accomplishing here, I'm sure you could do such an easy project like the spray painting of a doormat. Do it ;-)Victoria

Ever start a project and then were sorry you started it ? I've done that MANY times! I absolutely hate stripping furniture. I say just give it a good sanding, get it all smooth and paint right over it! Will check back in to see what the verdict is.Thanks for visiting today!Lisa

I haven't stripped anything in years, but when I did there was a product that your essentially painted on, then hosed off with water. It lifted up the paint ... and I have been known to take small things to the car wash to use the pressure hose ... now I have my own pressure hose!! I'd keep working on this. It is probably a fern stand that was made by a high schooler in a shop class in the 1940's or 50's ... You might still end up painting it ... but getting all that gunk off will be a good thing!

Just visiting from debbiedoos party! Stripping is a pain. I have done it and if there is more than one coat of paint it is just awful. So now it is either prime and paint or sand and stain for me! Hang in there, you can clean it up enough to prime and paint!

Oh man...these pics bring back terrifying memories!! 23 years ago I tried stripping HUGE cupboard doors...the kind that was built in the early 1900's...cupboards so tall you needed a stepping stool just to reach the second shelf...and then the third and fourth shelf. It was a disaster and I vowed to NEVER strip again. I'm sad to see that stripping hasn't gotten any easier. You go girl~~

By the way, thanks for stopping by my place. Summer's going good, but too fast! (-;